November 8, 2021
In Houston’s appealing series launch, a spin-off from her Loon Lake fishing mysteries (Dead Big Dawg, etc.), police chief Lewellyn “Lew” Ferris juggles a race for Wisconsin’s McBride County sheriff and several cases that may or may not be related. First up is a posse of middle schoolers who set a trap for a sexual predator. The alleged perp is Noah McDonough, the 24-year-old son of local landowner Grace McDonough, who has run afoul of residents and conservationists by negotiating with a mining company to drill on her land. Among those committed to protecting the area’s wildlife is Pete Ferris, Lew’s brother, who dies suddenly under suspicious circumstances. When Grace and Noah are later found dead, Lew relies on her colleagues and fishing buddies/investigators to uncover a conspiracy that hits close to home. Houston delivers her usual mix of folksy characters, solid plot, and plenty of insider fly fishing lures and lore. She remains a master of juxtaposing nature’s beauty with humanity’s ugliness. Loon Lake regulars won’t be disappointed. Agent: Nell Pierce, Sterling Lord Literistic.